INSTEAD of reporting the news, a radio reporter ended up being in the news after he figured in a heated altercation and scuffle with a policeman, leading to his arrest and detention at the Marikina police headquarters Tuesday morning.
Edmar Estabillo, a dzRH reporter covering the eastern part of Metro Manila, was placed under arrest by SPO2 Manuel Laison who accused him of being arrogant.
Eastern Police District (EPD) assistant spokesperson PO2 Catherine Capinpin said that based on their initial investigation, the scuffle at the lobby of the police headquarters in Barangay Sta. Elena at 7:45 a.m. started when Estabillo “arrogantly asked for the police blotter without introducing himself” to Laison, the day’s desk officer.
Marikina police chief Senior Supt. Vincent Calanoga said that Estabillo allegedly told the policeman: “Don’t you know who I am?” followed by “Why would I wear my ID just for you?” when the latter asked him who he was.
Calanoga added that while talking to Laison, the reporter pointed his finger several times at the policeman despite being warned that he could be sued for his arrogant attitude.
ESTABILLO
Capinpin said that because of Estabillo’s actions, Laison decided to arrest him for unjust vexation. She added that the lawman also read to the reporter his rights, but instead of yielding, Estabillo resisted, resulting in a scuffle.
The police officer, however, denied that he punched Estabillo, saying that the bruises the reporter sustained were due to the resistance he put up as he was being placed under arrest.
In the radio station’s Twitter account, Estabillo denied Laison’s version of the story and said that he politely approached the lawman to ask for permission to see the police blotter.
Laison, however, asked him if he was a reporter, later telling him bluntly that he did not recognize him.
At that point, Estabillo said Laison asked for his name and read to him his rights as an accused.
“There is no case against me, why would he arrest me? He said I was being rude to him but I wasn’t,” the reporter was quoted by his radio station as saying.
At press time, Calanoga said that Estabillo remained in their custody and that his radio station was determined to pursue the case against Laison instead of settling the matter amicably.
EPD director Chief Supt. Elmer Jamias, meanwhile, ordered the temporary relief of Laison to give way to an investigation to be conducted by the police district’s Internal Affairs Service.
Jamias said in a statement that the investigation would “determine who [was] at fault,” adding that “anyone found guilty shall be charged accordingly.”
According to Capinpin, Laison filed charges of assault on an agent of authority and unjust vexation against Estabillo who has yet to file a countercharge.
In light of the incident, Calanoga reminded his men to maintain a cool head and be a little more patient when dealing with other people.